Hey all,

This post will be somewhat lengthy, but includes detailed information regarding my fitness levels, diet, and workout. So hopefully it's all pertinent information.

I've begun my cut period, and here are my photos. Please make any criticisms/suggestions/comment, etc. I appreciate everyone's honesty here, I really do.

Some preliminary information:

Age: 21
Height: 5' 6"
Weight: 147 lbs.
Body Fat %: 14.3
Total Cholesterol: 147
HDL Cholesterol: 55
Pushups (60 sec): 37
Situps (60 sec): 45

**Max lifts soon to come**

Recent macronutrient percentages: Fat 22%, Carbs 38%, Protein 31%, Alcohol 9%
Calculated BMR: ~2700c
Recent caloric intake (average): 2300c
[Very] brief overview of training: Cardio 4-5 times/week, weight lifting (compound and isolated exercises) 4-5 times/week

Goal: To lower my BF% primarily. This should reveal a relatively lean and muscular new me.

Target/problem areas (according to me):
- Nearly every right-hand-side body part is slightly larger than my left-hand-side. I'm aiming for symmetry, but am not really sure what sort of training to incorporate. Do I train the left side harder, or go easier on the right side?
- Upper -- and middle for that matter -- chest needs more mass to be proportioned correctly.
- Arms could definitely be bigger.

Other comments: I've been told I'm barrel-chested, but I really don't think this will have any effect on my training/overall appearance. Also, my right shoulder is lower than my left, due to a hockey injury -- not much I can do to fix that.

Now onto the photos! IMO the flash takes away most of my definition, but then again, that should just motivate me even more, right?? Again, any and all input is greatly appreciated and will be seriously taken into consideration. Let me know if I left anything out or you have any questions, thanks!!

Attached Thumbnails

         

   

According to you target/problem areas, you want to gain size. Trying to gain any appreciable size while cutting is a long and painful process. I would recommend that you focus on either:

-cutting the fat without worrying about the size of your muscles. Once you have reached a desired bf% then clen bulk.
-going on a clean bulk and likely upping the bf% a bit, then cut back once your happy your muscles are big enough, proportionate etc....

Personlly, I would bulk from this position particularly if it is Autumn/Winter and cut for the summer.

Good luck

Thanks, JTM. I'm definitely only going to worry about cutting right now; the muscle mass issues are just things I'm aware of that will need work down the road.

So I went home for the weekend (I work at school during the week) for the first time in a couple weeks, and WOW have I made progress. You know how certain rooms/lighting give you that familiar body image? Well, I checked in the bathroom mirror and huge progress has been made in my lower back. The fat is melting off, and I really owe it to everyone here on the forum. The hours of reading posts and threads and stickies is paying off; I look forward to posting more pics at the end of the summer!